Micro Review: Brooklyn's Finest

An absorbing, gritty police drama with bursts of realistic violence. Actually the entire film, with its three intersecting stories, plays stark, honest and brutally real. And, with Richard Gere, Don Cheadle, Ethan Hawke and Wesley Snipes leading the cast, there's enough intensity and well-acted performances to fill a dozen movies. The film does have its cliched moments, but the strong cast and director Antoine Fuqua's talent for crafting high tension push the picture through them. One of the better cop films since Fuqua's own Training Day. A Good review from The Basement on this one.

Tag Team Review: Daybreakers

Mike S. is back with another one, and I figured I (Jason) would throw my two cents into the mix. What are your thoughts about the Spierig Brothers' take on vampires?

Mike S.

While there are certain parts of its execution that could've been improved, I would have to say that I enjoyed Daybreakers. I really liked the film noir elements that were used for some of the camera shots, wardrobe, and tone. The use of dreary greys and blacks with chilly blue artificical light gave a nice sense of an essentially souless society. The cast was well chosen, and while not necessarily realistic, they weren't exactly cookie cutter characters, either. I especially enjoyed Sam Neill's turn as a vampire.

The action when it occured was quick, thumping and well filmed. Unlike the usually clean dining of most movie vampires, these vampires are rather messy... almost like savage zombies in their feasting.

The message of managing natural resources, and trying to find alternatives sources fitting for this time. While not necessarily a film for everyone, or repeat viewing, it is definately worth a look.

Despite it's originality, timely theme, and visual style, due to the fact that it has come out during a glut of vampire themed movies in the past couple of years, I have to rate this as Bad.

Jason:

A cool concept that isn't executed to its full potential. That said, what's here isn't all that bad. Daybreakers is a thinking person's vampire flick with gory action, an underlying social message, lean direction, and best of all: no obnoxious, glittering, pretty boy vampires! This is a B-movie with pretensions to be something more and the effort is worth a look for horror fans. Great cast, well made, but I doubt I will watch it again. A Bad rating from the Basement.